Britney
Spears is to undergo a psychiatric evaluation.
The singer faces a full test before she can retain the authority to make her
own legal decisions. Britney's father Jamie was granted temporary control over
her medical, legal and financial decisions after his daughter was sectioned
last week. On 04.02.08, Britney's lawyer Adam Streisand attempted to have the
decision reversed, but Los Angeles Superior Court Commissioner Reva Goetz ruled
the pop star must undergo the evaluation.
Samuel Ingham, a court-appointed lawyer for Britney, testified that he spoke to
the mother-of-two at the hospital for 15 minutes on Sunday (03.02.08), and
admitted: "I think Ms. Spears does not understand the nature of these
proceedings, and I think she lacks the capacity to hire a private lawyer."
Los Angeles County Superior Court Public Information Officer, Allan Parachini,
said: "The temporary conservatorship involving Ms. Spears has been
extended until a hearing on February 14. A court appointed physician was
assigned to evaluate her competency. That physician's report is due at the
court on February 13."
Jamie Spears retained co-conservatorship over Britney's estimated $40 million
estate along with his attorney Andrew Wallet. During the hearing, it was also
revealed Britney's former manager Sam Lutfi had ignored the restraining order
imposed on him on Friday (01.02.08) and has been contacting the 'Toxic' singer
via telephone.
Lawyers said Sam refused to answer his door when a legal representative
attempted to serve him with the restraining order. At the end of the hearing, a
court spokesman confirmed Sam is to have no contact with Britney by phone,
email, text message or any other means. Britney was involuntarily committed to
the Stewart and Lynda Resnick Neuropsychiatric
Hospital at Los
Angeles' UCLA
Medical Center
last week for a 72-hour mental evaluation after being classed as G.D. (gravely
disabled).
She will now spend an additional 14 days in the ward after her psychiatrist
deemed she wasn't well enough to leave.
music-news.com